"The Wordsworth Yews"

A label to the underside reads "The yew trees were planted by W Wordsworth Esq, of Rydal Mount, at the expense of Sir George Beaumont of Coleorton, Leicestershire in the spring of the year 1819 - from the Grasmere Registers. This article was made from the wood of one of the above yews, by Richard Wilson, joiner, Grasmere. The tree was cut down in Grasmere churchyard in 1891. "

The label says it all, other than to mention that William Wordsworth was living at Rydal Mount between 1813 and 1850, so could have well planted the young yew trees. Also, Sir George Beaumont (the 7th Baronet) lived at Coleorton Manor and befriended many poets, including Wordsworth, Coleridge, Scott and Shelley, who all visited Coleorton.

Finally, the census of 1881 states that there was a Richard Wilson (joiner and builder) of Grasmere, Westmorland.

The faceted stepped foot and parallel shaped sides are all characteristic of turned domestic items made at the end of the 19th century.

Height 8 inches, across the base 4 inches.

Ref 2098

SOLD